Hope for Dreamers

February 16, 2013
“We define ourselves as a nation of immigrants. That’s who we are — in our bones. The promise we see in those who come here from every corner of the globe, that’s always been one of our greatest strengths.”
“We need to create a fair and effective immigration system that lives up to our heritage as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants.”
“And for the first time in many years, there is bipartisan support for comprehensive immigration reform. But action must follow.
“It’s time to fix a system that’s been broken for way too long.”
These were the poignant words echoed by US President Barack Obama last week in Las Vegas, Nevada, buoying up the hopes of some 11 million undocumented immigrants in the country, some 500,000 to 1 million of whom maybe Filipinos.
President Obama’s proposal for immigration reform has four parts. First, continue to strengthen our borders. Second, crack down on companies that hire undocumented workers. Third, hold undocumented immigrants accountable before they can earn their citizenship; this means requiring undocumented workers to pay their taxes and a penalty, move to the back of the line, learn English, and pass background checks. Fourth, streamline the legal immigration system for families, workers, and employers.
The President’s announcement immediately was applauded by various sectors, especially the immigration leaders across the nation. One group, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, perhaps sum up the reactions. “The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) described President Obama’s address on immigration Tuesday as a significant turning point in American domestic policy and a ray of sunlight at the end of a long dark tunnel that has kept so many families in the shadows for more than two decades.”
It is still a long process before the President’s pronouncement would be translated into enabling laws and immigration rules. One early bill which is pending in Congress is the DREAM (Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors) Act. It is good that there is now a bipartisan group from both the Republicans and the Democrats in both chambers of the US Congress already supporting the immigration reform initiatives through the bills they have filed. Leaders of those pushing the immigration reforms must still continue their vigilance so that the laws and rules that will be fashioned by our lawmakers would not discriminate against one group from the other, will be fair and will be beneficial to all.
The campaign for immigration reforms has been under way for many years now. US leaders and lawmakers have made promises in response to the immigrants’ clamor for programs that will address their needs. Perhaps this time around, our leaders will be more serious, “walk the talk” and prove themselves worthy of the votes they now zealously court.